Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s interaction with IPS probationers from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy
Jai Hind, Sir! I extend a warm welcome and greetings to you on behalf of Atul Karwal, Director of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, the entire family of the Academy and all the officers present here. We are very grateful to all of you that you have taken time out of your busy routine for this function. I also extend a warm welcome to other dignitaries present in this function, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Union Minister of State for Home Shri Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Bhalla and Secretary, Border Management of Police, Shri Sanjiva Kumar. Sir, 144 Indian Police Service officers and 34 police officers from friendly countries Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius are also present in this function. You will be happy to know that during the six months of district training, all these officers played a commendable and important role in their respective states, districts and countries, out of which some officers were also corona infected, but they joined the training after they recovered fully. You will also be happy to know that a contingent of eight officers from Delhi, including three foreign officers, saved the family of four members of an army officer from drowning when they were on a visit to Lakshadweep during Bharat Darshan. The passing out parade convocation of all these officers has been scheduled on 6th August, after which they will be on active duty in their respective states and countries after completing the attachment of the National Forensic Sciences University and CRPF. It is a matter of good fortune for all these officers that they will get blessings and guidance from you while taking the first step in the service of the country. Sir, after the completion of two years of rigorous training at Police Academy, the first two positions has been achieved by women officers. Ranjeeta Sharma, not only won the title of best probationer, but also became the first Indian woman officer in the history of IPS to win the IPS Association Sword of Honor which is based on outdoor training. On the second position was a talented lady officer Shreya Gupta and I would like to invite Shreya to conduct this function with your permission.
Shreya Gupta: Jai Hind, Sir! I, Shreya Gupta, am a probationary officer of 2019 batch of Indian Police Service. I am originally from Delhi and I have been allotted Tamil Nadu cadre. Sir, first of all, I welcome you and express my gratitude to you for your dignified presence in this program of interaction with the trained officers. Taking this dialogue program forward, I invite my fellow officer Shri Anuj Paliwal to introduce himself and start the dialogue with you.
Anuj Paliwal: Jai Hind, Sir! My name is Anuj Paliwal. I am resident of Panipat district of Haryana and I have been allotted Kerala cadre. Sir, I have done my graduation from IIT Roorkee and after that I have worked in a private company for two years.
Prime Minister: First of all, Vanakkam to Shreya!
Shreya Gupta: Vanakkam, Sir.
Question No. 1:
Prime Minister: Anuj ji, you have studied from IIT and then you went to work somewhere else for two years and then you joined the police service. What was in your mind that you made police service your career? Is it so that you wanted to join IAS and since you did not qualify, you reached here?
Anuj Paliwal : Sir, when I was in the third year in our college, the present  Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Hon'ble Kiran Bedi ji, came. Sir, many of us were impressed with her lecture and we decided to prepare for civil service. Sir, my first preference was IAS and second was IPS. Sir, I didn't try another attempt as I am very happy in IPS and want to serve the country as an IPS officer.
Prime Minister: Kiran ji is not the LG there now. There is new LG out there now.
Question 2:
Prime Minister: Anuj, your background is in Biotechnology. Even with regard to matters like crime investigation in policing, I understand that your studies can be useful, what do you think?
Anuj Paliwal: Yes Sir! Nowadays, scientific investigation is very important to ensure conviction in any case and nowadays a lot of focus is on DNA technology. In cases like rape and murder, DNA finger printing is very important.
Prime Minister: In this Corona era, there is so much discussion about the vaccines. Since you have this background, do you study and take interest in it?
Anuj Paliwal: Sir, right now, the focus is on training.
Question No. 3:
Prime Minister: Well, what are your hobbies other than this?
Anuj Paliwal: Sir, I love to play games and I am also interested in music.
Prime Minister: There is biotechnology, music and policing... our hobbies can often help a lot in tough and demanding work like policing and if there is music, it can help more.
Anuj Paliwal: Yes, Sir.
Prime Minister: Anuj, I wish you all the best for your life and career ahead. You are from Haryana and you will work in Kerala cadre. You took education from IIT and chose Humanities in Civil Services. You are in a service that is considered harsh and you also love music. These may seem to be contradictions at first glance, but they can also become your biggest strength. I wish that you will use this strength of yours to give better leadership in the police service.
Anuj Paliwal: Thank you, Sir. Jai Hind.
Shreya Gupta: Thanks, Sir! Now I would request my fellow trainee officer Shri Rohan Jagdish to introduce himself and begin a conversation with you.
Rohan Jagdish : Jai Hind, Sir! My name is Rohan Jagdish. I am a trainee officer of Indian Police Service 2019 batch. I have been allotted Karnataka cadre. I am a native of Bengaluru and I am a graduate of law from the University Law College, Bangalore University. My first choice was the Indian Police Service, mainly because of my father. He has served 37 years in Karnataka State Police; it is a matter of great pride for me. So, I too have chosen this service to serve like him in the Indian Police Service.
Question No. 1:
Prime Minister: Rohan ji, you are from Bengaluru, you have learned Hindi a lot and are a law graduate. You have also studied politics and international relations. What role do you see of this knowledge in today's police system?
Rohan Jagdish: Sir, I learned Hindi while I was undergoing the training, so I am thankful to training. When I was studying Political Science and International Relations, I felt the world was too small due to globalization. We will get a chance to work with police agencies of other states as well as Interpol. Crime is not localized in India, but is also international. So with this knowledge, it will be helpful in maintaining relations and solve crimes and cases of international cross-border terrorism, Naxalism and drugs, etc.
Question No. 2:
Prime Minister: We often hear about the tough physical training in the Police Academy. Since you have seen your father in police and your entire life has been spent in the police circles, what do you think about the training that you received and what do you feel? Is there a feeling of satisfaction in the mind? Your father would have seen your capabilities in realizing his expectations from you. So, is there any conflict when he compares your training with his own?
Rohan Jagdish: Sir, my father is also my role model. He joined Karnataka Police as sub-inspector and he retired as SP after 37 years. When I joined the academy, my father told me that I will have to do a lot of hard work as police training is very difficult. So, when I reached the academy, there is an inscription of Michelangelo which says – “There is a statue in all of us, there is a sculpture.” We have to carve out a sculpture from the stone in the academy. Similarly, our director and our faculty have trained and crafted us. So, we will serve our country accordingly.
Prime Minister: What should be done to improve this training, do you have any suggestion in your mind?
Rohan Jagdish: Sir, it is already very good. I used to think that it is going to be very difficult. But our director is training as per international standards. I am very happy with this training.
Question No. 3:
Prime Minister: Rohan ji, I am told that you are a good swimmer and you have broken all the previous records of the academy. It is obvious that you must be following the good performance of the players of India in the Olympics. Does any thought come to your mind to draw out better athletes from police service or improve the fitness level of the police? You must have noticed that after some time, there are a lot of changes in the sitting and standing postures of policemen. What do you think?
Rohan Jagdish: Sir, a lot of focus is given on fitness in the academy. I believe that fitness is needed not just during training, but it should be a part of life. Even though there are no classes and morning PTs, I get up early at 5 a.m. because it has become a routine. So, when I will report to the district, I will tell my police colleagues and officers to emphasise on stress management and health management. I would try to keep fit not only myself, but everybody.
Prime Minister: I enjoyed talking to you, Rohan. Fitness and professionalism is a great need of our police. I think enthusiastic youth like you can implement these reforms in the police system easily. If the police will promote fitness in its force, then the youth in the society will also be motivated to stay fit. I wish you the very best.
Rohan Jagdish: Jai Hind, Sir.
Shreya Gupta: Thank you, Sir! I now invite Shri Gaurav Rampravesh Rai to introduce himself and communicate with you.
Gaurav Rampravesh Rai: Jai Hind, Sir! My name is Gaurav Rai. I am a resident of Amravati district of Maharashtra and I have been allotted Chhattisgarh cadre. I have done engineering from College of Engineering, Pune, and I was working in Indian Railways before joining Indian Police Service.
Question No. 1:
Prime Minister: Gaurav ji, I am told that you are a chess player and play very well. In this game of check and checkmate, one has to play to win. Similarly, have you ever wondered how your knowledge in chess can be of use in controlling criminals?
Gaurav Rampravesh Rai: Since I play chess, I always think that way. I have been allotted Chhattisgarh cadre where Left Wing Extremism is raging. I always feel that there are two things in chess -- one is strategy and other being the tactics. Similarly, there should always be such strategies in the policies in the force which will tackle them. And we use such tactics which have been taught to us in the training academy during the operations. Our operations should be such that we have minimum losses and at the same time we can inflict maximum losses to them.
Question No. 2:
Prime Minister: Gaurav ji, you said that you have been allotted Chhattisgarh cadre and you mentioned about the situation there. There is also the problem of Left Wing Extremism and you are also familiar with it. In this case, your role is even more important. Along with law and order, you also have to support development and social connect in tribal areas as well. Have you made any special preparations for this?
Gaurav Rampravesh Rai: The Indian government has the two-pronged strategy from the point of view of development and security. I am a civil engineer, so I think that development is the only way to end Left Wing Extremism. And if we think of development, then rail, road, home, basic civil facilities, etc. come to our mind. Being a civil engineer, I will be able to use this knowledge in Chhattisgarh.
Prime Minister: Since you are from Maharashtra, you must have studied about the Gadchiroli region.
Gaurav Rampravesh Rai: Yes sir! I know a little about that.
Prime Minister: Gaurav ji, young officers like you have a huge responsibility, be it cyber frauds or bringing youth who have gone on the path of violence to the mainstream. We have been limiting the Maoist violence by working very hard over the years. Today new bridges of development and trust are being built in the tribal areas. I am sure that young leadership like you will take this work forward very fast. I wish you the very best.
Gaurav Rampravesh Rai: Thank you, Sir. Jai Hind!
Shreya Gupta: Thank you very much, Sir. Now I would like to invite Ms. Ranjeeta Sharma to introduce herself and express her views.
Ranjeeta Sharma: Jai Hind Sir! My name is Ranjeeta. I am from Haryana and I have been allotted Rajasthan cadre. Sir, I had to face a very peculiar law and order situation in the very beginning during my district police training. Sir, during that time I came to know about the importance of restraint. Since there are almost all kinds of internal security matters or law and order situation and we have to face the citizens of our own country and in that situation it becomes necessary that we exercise restraint. In the academy, we read about Sardar Patel, who, while addressing the IPS probationers and officers, said that if a police officer loses his restraint at the heat of the moment then he is not a police officer. During my police training in the academy or practical training at the district, I constantly realized the importance of the ideals of the police such as patience, restraint and courage.
Question No. 1:
Prime Minister: Ranjeeta ji, many congratulations to you for all the achievements during your training. I was reading and hearing about you and felt that you have made a mark everywhere. What is your experience -- whether there is any change in your home, village and neighbourhood regarding daughters after what you have achieved?
Ranjeeta Sharma: First of all, thank you, Sir. As soon as the family members and friends came to know about my selection, I started getting calls from people asking me to talk to their children, especially to girl children, so that I can motivate them being a role model. I had the same experience in my district as well. There were several occasions when I was called to especially talk to the female students to motivate them, inspire them. Sir, this uniform gives an identity but there is also a sense of responsibility and a challenge. And if they see a woman in a uniform, they get some motivation, inspiration. This will be a real achievement for me if I can motivate them.
Question No. 2:
Prime Minister: Ranjeeta ji, you are also interested in yoga. From what you studied, it seems that you wanted to be in the field of journalism. Then how did you choose this profession?
Ranjeeta Sharma: Sir, there is a story behind this. I worked in private sector for about eight-nine years before joining the police force. But I wanted to do something the impact of which I could see immediately. I wanted to do something for the society. Since the scope is very limited in the private sector, you cannot leave your mark there, but the administrative or police service gives you a chance. And as far as the uniform is concerned, Sir, it is a matter of great responsibility and honor for me that I have got this opportunity to be in the Indian Police Service.
Question No. 3:
Prime Minister: Have you set any one goal for yourself, which you would definitely like to implement to improve the police system of the country?
Ranjeeta Sharma: Sir, I remember the interaction you had last time. Then you had said that when it comes to police, they represent stick and force. Sir, I would like to improve the image of the police. It will be a great achievement if I could contribute in making police accessible and improve the image of the police. It will also be my goal.
Prime Minister: Ranjeeta ji, when I learned and heard about you, I would like to give you a similar advice which is not related to your duty. Whenever you find some time from your duty, visit some girl schools for an hour a week and talk to those girls and continue with this for the rest of your life. If you continue with your practice of yoga, then run a yoga class for girls in an open garden sometimes. I wish you all the very best. Be it Haryana or Rajasthan, we all know that in the last few years a lot of work has been done for the development of daughters. You can play your part very well in strengthening the wave of social consciousness in both these states. Your study in communication and the understanding you have is a great need of the police today. Hope you will use it a lot in the future. I wish you the very best!!
Ranjeeta Sharma: Thanks, Sir. Jai Hind, Sir.
Shreya Gupta: Thank you, Sir! I now invite my fellow trainee officer Mr. Nithinraj P to introduce and continue the conversation with you.
Nithinraj P: Jai Hind, Sir! My name is Nithinraj. I am from Kasaragod district of Kerala and I have been allocated Kerala cadre.
Question 1:
Prime Minister: I have been to Kerala many times. I am told that you have a keen interest in photography. Which are the places that you like most in Kerala for photography?
Nithinraj P: Sir, especially the Western Ghats. I belong to the district of Kasaragod and I would like to shoot parts of Western Ghats.
Question 2:
Prime Minister: I am told that during your training, probationers are organised into squads of 20-22 officers. What has been your experience with your squad?
Nithinraj P: Sir, when we are in the squad, we realize that we are not alone in the academy. We are supported by our colleagues. Initially, we thought that we won’t be able to do difficult indoor and outdoor activities. That was the initial impression many of us had. But because of the support of our squad mates, we could achieve everything. Later we thought we could do beyond that, even the 40-kilometre route march or the 16-kilometre run that we did. That became possible because of the support of our squad mates.
Prime Minister: Nithin ji, I am told that you like teaching also. Do continue to pursue this passion of yours when in service. This will also help you develop a deep connect with people.
Nithinraj P: Sir, I want to pursue that also. I think for creating awareness in the society, a police officer should know how to communicate with the society. I think teaching is one of the ways with which we can communicate properly with the students and with the general public.
Prime Minister: Wish you all the best.
Nithinraj P: Thank you, Sir. Jai Hind, Sir.
Shreya Gupta: I now invite Dr. Navjot Simi to introduce herself and continue the conversation.
Dr. Navjot Simi : Jai Hind, Sir! My name is Navjot Simi. I am from Gurdaspur district of Punjab and have been allotted Bihar cadre. Sir, I have done graduation in dental surgery from Ludhiana. My district training took place in Patna and during that time I was very excited to find the increasing number of women police personnel, their courage and motivation.
Question No. 1:
Prime Minister: Navjot ji, you had taken up the task of improving the health of the teeth of the people and giving relief to them from toothache. In such a situation, why did you choose the path of taking on the enemies of the country?
Dr. Navjot Simi: Sir, I was inclined towards civil services from my early days. The job of both a doctor and police is to relieve people's suffering. So, I felt that I could contribute in solving the problems of the people on a bigger platform through civil services.
Question no. 2:
Prime Minister: Now that you have joined the police force, it is going to inspire not only you, but the new generation of daughters in the country as well. Today the participation of girls in police is increasing. If you have any suggestion or experience to increase this participation, then do share it.
Dr. Navjot Simi: Sir, we were training at Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir during our district's practical training. There was a very large batch of women constables there. When I got a chance to interact with them, I was so excited that all those girls wanted to achieve something by studying further. They were very much already motivated. I liked it very much and I thought that whenever I go to my profession, I will definitely do something for women so that they don’t have to face any problem in their education.
Prime Minister: Navjot ji, more and more daughters coming into the police force will strengthen the policing system of the country. Be it Punjab or Bihar, you are connecting the states with the great Guru tradition. The Guru has said that -
भैकाहू को देतनहि,
नहि भय मानत आन।
That is, neither should we scare the common human being, nor be afraid of anyone. I am sure that you will move forward with this inspiration and be successful in making the police service more inclusive and sensitive.
Dr. Navjot Simi: Thank you, Sir. Jai Hind!
Shreya Gupta: Thank you, Sir. Now I request Kommi Pratap Shivkishore to introduce himself and express his views before you.
Kommi Pratap Shiv Kishore : Jai Hind, Sir! My name is KPS Kishore and I am from Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh and I have been allotted Andhra cadre. Sir, I have done M.Tech in Financial Engineering of Biotechnology from IIT Kharagpur. Before joining police service, I have worked in Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for four years. I think if we use technology then we can solve several challenges in police, like manpower shortage etc.
Question no. 1:
Prime Minister: Pratap, you are from a financial background. Today there is the challenge of financial frauds. Do you come across any innovative ideas to deal with them during training?
Kommi Pratap Shiv Kishore: Surely sir, we have been trained to investigate financial frauds, have been introduced to laws. During my district training in Kurnool, we were trained to investigate Aadhaar related financial frauds and how money gets leaked through fake Aadhaar cards. I think there will be a lot to learn further.
Question no. 2:
Prime Minister: These elements in cybercrime keep targeting our children and women a lot and for this do you have any suggestion what can be done at the police station level?
Kommi Pratap Shiv Kishore: Sir, we have done work in this regard. We used to give statements to newspapers and local city channels regarding new cyber frauds. We also used to hold a session every week with vulnerable groups, like colleges where students come with new smartphones. Secondly, we also used to organize a webinar on a monthly basis where people used to join us. I think we should create awareness regarding these crimes among people, so that they become alert.
Prime Minister: Pratap, digital technology is a very inclusive technology, which connects everyone and is very helpful in providing facilities and resources to the poor, underprivileged, exploited too. This is our future. But, at the same time, it has also made cybercrime a big threat. Financial frauds in particular are a major challenge. These crimes are no longer restricted to police stations, districts and states and have become a new national and international challenge. To deal with this, the government is taking several steps at its level. But the police will also have to make new innovations in this regard. Special campaigns can be run at the police station level regarding digital awareness. Apart from this, I would urge all the young officers that if you also have any suggestions regarding the subject, then you must definitely bring them to me. Bring it to the Home Ministry, because the ideas of the young force, that are very much aware of this background, can be useful in this fight. Pratap, wish you all the very best!
Kommi Pratap Shiv Kishore: Jai Hind, Sir.
Shreya Gupta: Thank you, Sir. Now I request Mr. Mohammad Nazim, the Police Officer of the friendly nation Maldives, to share his experiences with the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
Mohammad Nazim : Good Morning Hon’ble Prime Minister Sir. I am Chief Inspector of Police Mohammad Nazim from Maldives Police Service. It’s a matter of pride and privilege to have an opportunity to speak about my experiences in the memorable journey in Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy with 2019 Batch of Indian Police Service. During the last two years of our training, our professionalism, fitness and competence as a police officer have improved tremendously. Officers from Maldives have been undergoing training in this academy since 1998. Our current Chief of Police Mohamed Hameed along with the most senior leaderships is also proud alumni of this prestigious academy. Sir, the two years of training has enhanced our personality not only as a uniform police officer but also has made us better human beings. The bonhomie with Indian batch-mates and other foreign batch-mates is incredible and we have enjoyed every single moment in this academy. We have made many friends with Indian officers and plan to remain in touch with them. We have really enjoyed the time spent here. I thought this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Indian government for providing us with this valuable opportunity. Thank you Sir, Jai Hind!
Question 1:
Prime Minister: Nazim, what do you find common between India and Maldives?
Mohammad Nazim : Sir, culture and food is very similar.
Question 2:
Prime Minister: We have officers from Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius also with us. Did this help you gain some insights about those nations too?
Mohammad Nazim : Yes Sir, it really helps. We have interacted with foreign officers and we have good knowledge of their police system.
Prime Minister: Ok Nazim, wish you all the best.
Mohammad Nazim: Thank you Sir, Jai Hind.
Prime Minister: I enjoy meeting the nature loving people of Maldives. Maldives is not only a neighbor of India but also a very good friend. India is also collaborating in setting up a Police Academy in Maldives and now Maldives is preparing itself for cricket as well. Maldives and India also have social and trade relations. I am sure that your training in India will strengthen Maldivian policing and will also help in enriching India-Maldives relations. Many congratulations!
Shreya Gupta: Thank you, Sir. Taking forward this program of dialogue, I humbly request you to guide us by addressing the probationary officers who are committed to serve the nation.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.